Platypus DNA
If you’ve ever walked through an Australian national park past a water source signposted as a platypus habitat, you will know these unique creatures are intensely aloof. Increasing scientific interest in platypus populations has been sparked by concerns of localised extinction in some areas, as well as the endearingly odd-looking creatures being recently reclassified as ‘near threatened’ on the list of endangered species. Which is why researchers at Western Sydney University and the Melbourne University have both recently launched projects to detect them using something called environmental DNA, or eDNA
CRISPR Babies
The development of CRISPR technology has the potential to eradicate genetic disorders for future generations. But the line between beneficial modifications and eugenics is indeed fine. With the world’s first CRISPR babies over 2 years of age we explore the science behind the ethics of human genetic modification and when the line was crossed.
Why genomics is the real MVP in the fight against COVID clusters
As COVID-19 clusters in gyms, restaurants, and aged care centres across NSW and Victoria continue to climb and make headlines, contact tracing efforts and genomic sequencing feature heavily in the media’s reporting of the coronavirus pandemic.
But how exactly is genetics being used for epidemiological tracing purposes and how is it helping researchers and policymakers to respond to these outbreak clusters in real-time?
Cut the Crap: Why the Microbiome Matters
Treatments for a range of inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS, Ulcerative Colitis and Chron’s Disease have come a long way in their time. In March 2020 scientists in South Australia launched another initiative toward the development of clinical treatments for these diseases: a poo donation bank or BiomeBank. Read how these donations are used in the fight for gut health.
Creepy or Cunning? How Cops Used DNA to Catch the Golden State Killer
After being a cold case for over 30 years, the alleged Golden State Killer was finally arrested based on new genetic information.
Custom Cures: How Personalised Medicine Saved One 8 Year Old
Eight year old Mila Makovec suffers from Batten disease. Find out how Dr. Timothy Yu and a team of scientists at the Boston Childrens’ Hospital have helped to improve her quality of life, and the ways in which your students can explore this technology in the classroom.
Meatless Meat
Lab cultured meat has been in the media recently. It is a protein produced from lab grown animal cells but does not involve raising and slaughtering animals. Lab cultured meat is expensive to manufacture at present with the technology being a few years away from wide public consumption.